McGinnis, Walter Irvin 1898 - 1918

MCGINNIS IRVIN, DENHAM

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/22/2024 at 15:19:30

Source: Cresco Plain Dealer Oct. 18, 1918, FP C1

Walter McGinnis Dies at Great Lakes Naval Camp.
Death claims another Howard County boy at the Great Lakes Camp. He was a victim of Spanish influenza which rapidly developed into pneumonia.
Impelled by a strong spirit of patriotism, Walter enlisted in the Navy on July 10, 1918, and went direct to the Great Lakes. After a period of training he was put on guard duty at the Federal building in Chicago, where he served for six weeks. While there he wrote his folks that he was well and happy in being able to thus serve his country and flag. On the day he returned to the Naval Station he was stricken with the disease, taken to the hospital and passed away in just three weeks from that date
Walter Irvin McGinnis, son of Rollo and Lydia Irvin McGinnis, was born June 1, 1898, near Riceville, Howard Co., Iowa. His boyhood days were spent in that community, where he attended the rural schools. After the death of his father, in January, 1914, he made his home with his grandmother, Mrs. Sarah McGinnis, in Cresco, and for some time attended the public schools.
Walter was a very dutiful son and was the embodiment of kindness and was always glad when he could be helpful to someone. He was thankful for every favor shown him and his heart overflowed with gratitude, especially to his parents and grandmother. He was of a cheerful and happy disposition, thoughtful of others and always ready to help where he could be of service. He united with the Methodist Episcopal church in Cresco April 23, 1916, and loved to attend the services of the church, Sunday School and Epworth League. By an innate quality he always chose good associates, developed clean habits and always tried to live an upright, manly life. With the supreme sacrifice of his life to his county and faithful to his God, he departed this life Oct. 12, 1918, aged 20 years, 4 months and 11 days. He leaves his mother, Mrs. Lydia McGinnis, of Elma; his grandmother, Mrs. Sarah McGinnis, of Cresco; two sisters, Mrs. Mabel Denham, of Bennington, Okla., and Dora, at home, three brothers, Lester, Lynn and Hollis, at home, and a grandfather, Joseph Irvin, of Riceville, besides many friends.
The body arrived at Elma on Tuesday morning, and, in charge of the Red Cross organization, was taken to Saratoga where a service was held in the cemetery, conducted by the Rev. E. G. Copeland of Cresco. Music was furnished by a quartet representing the Saratoga Red Cross. The pall bearers were six young men from Elma, Taps were sounded by Mr. Sigler of Saratoga. The floral offerings were beautiful.

Saratoga Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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